City, students work to install Main Street light quicker
by: Tyler Lamb
City of Whitewater landlord David Kachel has offered to pay for safety improvements on Main Street as the city waits for Gov. Jim Doyle to sign off on the installation of traffic lights on Whiton and Main Streets.
The installation of traffic lights is part of efforts made by the Whitewater Common Council in late 2008 to improve Main Street safety after UW-Whitewater graduate Mike Chaloupka, 23, was struck by a car Aug. 26, 2008 while crossing the Whiton and Main Streets intersection.
Chauloupka died about two weeks later from injuries sustained in the accident.
Earlier this month Kachel made an offer to the council to pay for the entire cost and installation of a permanent variable electronic speed sign, to be placed on Main Street. The cost of the sign is estimated at $5,000 to $7,000.
"I wanted to give one and the city was also giving one … safety for students was part of it," Kachel said. "[city of Whitewater Police Chief James Coan] said if we could move them, in other words if we could take them down and put them somewhere else, he would do it because what he says is after it is out there for a month you would never look at it again."
During the Nov. 11 common council meeting, Coan said motorists would become too familiar with the electronic speed signs, lessening their impact after a few months.
"If you have something out there permanently drivers tend to become complacent," Coan said. "It doesn't have the same impact as if you put something out there periodically."
The need for safety improvements on Main Street was solidified last month when Fort Atkinson resident Laura Rogers, 28, was struck by a car Oct. 14 while crossing at the Main and Cottage streets intersection. Rogers was transported to Fort Atkinson Hospital for contusions to her face and knee.
City and university members are now collaboratively attempting to spur earlier installation of traffic lights on Main Street. The lights are currently scheduled for installation in early 2010 Peace, Education, and Activism through Creative Engagement co-president Patrick Broderick said PEACE has been attempting to put pressure on the governor's office with assistance from the Whitewater Common Council.
"Council member Max Taylor helped us out by getting us the number of the project and common council President Patrick Singer gave us details about the project at a PEACE meeting," Broderick said. "In addition, the Public Works Director Dean Fischer is going to be soliciting student opinions about more accessible design. I was impressed with how our concerns have been received."
Whitewater Common Council voted in late 2008, as a result of Chaloupka's death, to install traffic lights at the Main and Whiton Streets intersection in spring 2010. The trombone-arm pedestrian yield signs were installed at the two Main Street intersections in May 2008.
"If all this requires is the governor picking up a pen and signing a piece of paper we should be able to get this done much sooner," District 2 councilman Max Taylor said. "So several groups, myself included, will be making several calls to the governor over the next few weeks trying to get him to expedite that process."
The Department of Transportation sent the city an agreement in early 2009 for the installation of traffic lights on Main and Whiton streets, covering 90 percent of the costs including engineering, equipment and installation. The remaining 10 percent of the project will be funded by the city.
The project to install traffic lights met the requirements to be funded as a safety improvement project. Safety improvement projects are perceived high-risk rural roads.
Doyle is not projected to sign off on the project until May 2010. Fischer said if the project to install traffic lights on Main Street would have been strictly a city project, the lights could have been installed already, costing the city $125,000.
City Manager Kevin Brunner said the council also is looking at increasing the wattage of street lights on Main Street from 150 watts to 250 watts, to increase pedestrian safety. Increasing wattage will cost the city more than $10, 000, with additional operating costs amounting to $1,000 a year.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Issues In Whitewater
Council fails to improve Main Street Safety
Tyler Lamb
Issue date: 11/4/09 Section: News
Whitewater Common Council took to no additional action regarding Main Street safety Tuesday, despite concerns voiced from campus and community members.
"I think there is a real concern about crossing at Main Street, particularly between classes." Councilwomen-At-Large Marilyn Kienbaum said.
One resolution suggested to the council was to increase the wattage of streetlights from Prairie to Prince streets.
"That whole area just isn't right. It's dark in a lot of spots and there are a lot of times I came along at 10:30 p.m. and just about hit somebody because all of a sudden they are in the middle of the road," District 1 councilmen Jim Olsen said.
City manager Kevin Brunner said increased lighting from 150 watts to 250 watts would cost the city more than $10,000, with additional operating costs coming to $1,000 more per year for the additional wattage.
"In addition, I think a lot of council members and a citizen mentioned variable speed boards that flash what speed your traveling at," Brunner said. "Those costs are estimated, to install, $5 to 7,000 each. One property owner to the south, David Kachel, contacted me and he informed me he would be willing to pay the entire cost of the board."
The council and Whitewater police weren't in favor of the electronic speed signs.
"I'm not convinced with the electronic speed signs," District 4 councilmen Lynn Binnie said. "I appreciate the generous offer … my concerns include one we get the stop light in there that's going to naturally resolve and slow the traffic."
City of Whitewater Police Chief James Coan said motorists would become too familiar with electronic signs, lessening their impact after a few months.
"If you have something out there permanently drivers tend to become complacent, it doesn't have the same impact as if you put something out there periodically," Coan said. "We think things have improved greatly."
Brunner said the city is attempting to expedite the process of installing traffic lights on Main Street.
"We were able to get state funding but we also have to go through sorts of hoops that we normally wouldn't have to because this state project."
The project is still scheduled to be completed installed early 2010 due to the bidding and development processes. Brunner said if the city would have done this on their own it done much quicker but the city would have had to pay more than $125, 000.
"If it would have been strictly a city project … we could have had them installed already but at $125,000 savings to the city we are talking about a one year period," Public Works Director Dean Fischer said.
Main Street concerns originated when UW-Whitewater graduate Mike Chaloupka and Fort Atkinson resident Laura Rogers, 28, were struck while crossing at Whiton and Mainstreets.
Whitewater Common Council voted in late 2008, as a result of Chaloupka's death, to install traffic lights at the Main and Whiton streets intersection in spring 2010.
The trombone-arm pedestrian yield signs were installed at the two Main Street intersections in May 2008.
The Department of Transportation sent the city an agreement for the project covering 90 percent of the costs including engineering, equipment and installation costs. The remaining 10 percent of the project will be funded by the city. City Manager Kevin Brunner said the intersection safety revamp will cost $12,000 to $15,000. The project carries an estimated total cost of $138, 400.
Tyler Lamb
Issue date: 11/4/09 Section: News
Whitewater Common Council took to no additional action regarding Main Street safety Tuesday, despite concerns voiced from campus and community members.
"I think there is a real concern about crossing at Main Street, particularly between classes." Councilwomen-At-Large Marilyn Kienbaum said.
One resolution suggested to the council was to increase the wattage of streetlights from Prairie to Prince streets.
"That whole area just isn't right. It's dark in a lot of spots and there are a lot of times I came along at 10:30 p.m. and just about hit somebody because all of a sudden they are in the middle of the road," District 1 councilmen Jim Olsen said.
City manager Kevin Brunner said increased lighting from 150 watts to 250 watts would cost the city more than $10,000, with additional operating costs coming to $1,000 more per year for the additional wattage.
"In addition, I think a lot of council members and a citizen mentioned variable speed boards that flash what speed your traveling at," Brunner said. "Those costs are estimated, to install, $5 to 7,000 each. One property owner to the south, David Kachel, contacted me and he informed me he would be willing to pay the entire cost of the board."
The council and Whitewater police weren't in favor of the electronic speed signs.
"I'm not convinced with the electronic speed signs," District 4 councilmen Lynn Binnie said. "I appreciate the generous offer … my concerns include one we get the stop light in there that's going to naturally resolve and slow the traffic."
City of Whitewater Police Chief James Coan said motorists would become too familiar with electronic signs, lessening their impact after a few months.
"If you have something out there permanently drivers tend to become complacent, it doesn't have the same impact as if you put something out there periodically," Coan said. "We think things have improved greatly."
Brunner said the city is attempting to expedite the process of installing traffic lights on Main Street.
"We were able to get state funding but we also have to go through sorts of hoops that we normally wouldn't have to because this state project."
The project is still scheduled to be completed installed early 2010 due to the bidding and development processes. Brunner said if the city would have done this on their own it done much quicker but the city would have had to pay more than $125, 000.
"If it would have been strictly a city project … we could have had them installed already but at $125,000 savings to the city we are talking about a one year period," Public Works Director Dean Fischer said.
Main Street concerns originated when UW-Whitewater graduate Mike Chaloupka and Fort Atkinson resident Laura Rogers, 28, were struck while crossing at Whiton and Mainstreets.
Whitewater Common Council voted in late 2008, as a result of Chaloupka's death, to install traffic lights at the Main and Whiton streets intersection in spring 2010.
The trombone-arm pedestrian yield signs were installed at the two Main Street intersections in May 2008.
The Department of Transportation sent the city an agreement for the project covering 90 percent of the costs including engineering, equipment and installation costs. The remaining 10 percent of the project will be funded by the city. City Manager Kevin Brunner said the intersection safety revamp will cost $12,000 to $15,000. The project carries an estimated total cost of $138, 400.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Article about Accidents In Whitewater
Recent accident a painful reminder
Crosswalk safety can only improve through concerted effort by all
Royal Purple staff
Issue date: 10/21/09 Section: Opinion
Media Credit: Seth Anderson
A Whitewater Common Council nightmare has been realized: another pedestrian was struck by a car while crossing at Cottage and Main Street, one of the intersections between Prairie Street and Prince Street uncontrolled by a traffic signal.
Fortunately for 28-year-old Laura Rogers of Fort Atkinson, the injuries she sustained following the collision and subsequent 10-foot journey through the air on Oct. 14 did not take her life; the contusions on her knee and face will heal.
Mike Chaloupka, who was hit while crossing the intersection at Whiton and Main Street in his wheelchair on Aug. 26, 2008, did not survive.
Chaloupka's death sounded the alarm bell that caught the attention of city and campus officials.
It became clear the "trombone arms," which are essentially flashing pedestrian crossing signs on a boom at these intersections, were not enough.
They were probably right. Even when activated, the flashing lights on the trombone arms are merely an advisery that pedestrians might be present-the lighted signs by themselves don't compel drivers to stop.
Meeting after meeting, month after month, an indecisive, sometimes combative Common Council argued over solutions ranging from a giant walking bridge to a proposed jaywalking ordinance before finally settling on the installation of a $125,000 traffic light at the intersection of Whiton Street and Main Street.
This was an obvious step in the right direction. A traffic light leaves no doubt to who has the right of way.
It also slows traffic flow down. This is good, considering excessive speed is the number one reason why pedestrian-vehicle accidents occur according to Whitewater Police Department Chief James Coan.
Unfortunately, all this wrangling to keep students safe diverts attention from another element that really needs to change: driving habits.
It's simple. There are two people in this type of accident, the driver and the pedestrian. Both are trying to get somewhere using the same space.
However, the driver is the one in control of a potentially lethal weapon. Furthermore, to walk in a public place is a very basic human right, whereas operating a car is a privilege and responsibility.
In light of this, there are very few instances where a driver isn't at fault for striking a pedestrian.
Even in a downtown Whitewater full of drunken bar-goers, the burdgen rests heavily on drivers to observe what's going on along the side of the road and slow down in the presence of pedestrians.
To be sure, the installation of a traffic light will make it much safer for students to cross, so driving habits aren't the only thing that needed changing. It also doesn't mean those on foot shouldn't look both ways before crossing the street-ultimately it's everyone's responsibility to keep the community safe.
It also means there are other actions officials can take to improve the situation while we wait for the traffic light.
This includes, if necessary, increased police presence. In the immediate wake of Chaloupka's death, city and campus police made themselves visible as a reminder to pay attention and assist in safe crossings. This should continue.
It should also include a crackdown on speed limit compliance, a.k.a. more speeding tickets. While many like to complain about speed traps, the fact of the matter is speeding is illegal for a reason. This is especially true in a city full of pedestrians, where there is absolutely no reason to be driving fast.
So take it easy, pay attention and walkers-look up from your iPod every once and awhile. By playing by the rules and using common sense everyone can do their part to make Whitewater a safer place.
Crosswalk safety can only improve through concerted effort by all
Royal Purple staff
Issue date: 10/21/09 Section: Opinion
Media Credit: Seth Anderson
A Whitewater Common Council nightmare has been realized: another pedestrian was struck by a car while crossing at Cottage and Main Street, one of the intersections between Prairie Street and Prince Street uncontrolled by a traffic signal.
Fortunately for 28-year-old Laura Rogers of Fort Atkinson, the injuries she sustained following the collision and subsequent 10-foot journey through the air on Oct. 14 did not take her life; the contusions on her knee and face will heal.
Mike Chaloupka, who was hit while crossing the intersection at Whiton and Main Street in his wheelchair on Aug. 26, 2008, did not survive.
Chaloupka's death sounded the alarm bell that caught the attention of city and campus officials.
It became clear the "trombone arms," which are essentially flashing pedestrian crossing signs on a boom at these intersections, were not enough.
They were probably right. Even when activated, the flashing lights on the trombone arms are merely an advisery that pedestrians might be present-the lighted signs by themselves don't compel drivers to stop.
Meeting after meeting, month after month, an indecisive, sometimes combative Common Council argued over solutions ranging from a giant walking bridge to a proposed jaywalking ordinance before finally settling on the installation of a $125,000 traffic light at the intersection of Whiton Street and Main Street.
This was an obvious step in the right direction. A traffic light leaves no doubt to who has the right of way.
It also slows traffic flow down. This is good, considering excessive speed is the number one reason why pedestrian-vehicle accidents occur according to Whitewater Police Department Chief James Coan.
Unfortunately, all this wrangling to keep students safe diverts attention from another element that really needs to change: driving habits.
It's simple. There are two people in this type of accident, the driver and the pedestrian. Both are trying to get somewhere using the same space.
However, the driver is the one in control of a potentially lethal weapon. Furthermore, to walk in a public place is a very basic human right, whereas operating a car is a privilege and responsibility.
In light of this, there are very few instances where a driver isn't at fault for striking a pedestrian.
Even in a downtown Whitewater full of drunken bar-goers, the burdgen rests heavily on drivers to observe what's going on along the side of the road and slow down in the presence of pedestrians.
To be sure, the installation of a traffic light will make it much safer for students to cross, so driving habits aren't the only thing that needed changing. It also doesn't mean those on foot shouldn't look both ways before crossing the street-ultimately it's everyone's responsibility to keep the community safe.
It also means there are other actions officials can take to improve the situation while we wait for the traffic light.
This includes, if necessary, increased police presence. In the immediate wake of Chaloupka's death, city and campus police made themselves visible as a reminder to pay attention and assist in safe crossings. This should continue.
It should also include a crackdown on speed limit compliance, a.k.a. more speeding tickets. While many like to complain about speed traps, the fact of the matter is speeding is illegal for a reason. This is especially true in a city full of pedestrians, where there is absolutely no reason to be driving fast.
So take it easy, pay attention and walkers-look up from your iPod every once and awhile. By playing by the rules and using common sense everyone can do their part to make Whitewater a safer place.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Another Accident
Fort Atkinson resident injured while crossing Main Street
A Fort Atkinson woman sustained minor injuries Wednesday after being hit by a car at the Cottage and Main streets intersection.Laura Rogers, 28, was crossing Main Street at a pedestrian walkway about 9:45 p.m. when she was struck by car turning west from Cottage onto Main Street, according to a witness. She reportedly flew about 10 feet in the air. Rogers was transported to Fort Atkinson Hospital for contusions on her knee and face.Junior Katka Showers-Curtis said she was crossing the street with Rogers at the time of the accident. They had pushed the pedestrian light before crossing."It was terrifying," she said. "I had no idea what was happening. I looked at the car and thought it was going to stop and then I realized it didn't. I never expected that to happen."Showers-Curtis said an off-duty police officer was driving toward downtown from Main Street when the accident occurred and stopped to aid Rogers."He got us to the side of the road," she said. "He called the police. He called the ambulance. Everything happened really fast."Rogers is active on campus and is a member of PEACE.UW-Whitewater graduate Mike Chaloupka was struck by a car Aug. 26, 2008 while crossing at Whiton and Main streets, about a block from Cottage Street.Chaloupka, who was in a wheelchair, suffered from 12 broken bones and collapsed lungs. He died about a week later as a result of the injuries. Whitewater Common Council voted in late 2008, as a result of Chaloupka's death, to install traffic lights at the Main and Whiton streets intersection in spring 2010.
I am sure glad she will be ok.
A Fort Atkinson woman sustained minor injuries Wednesday after being hit by a car at the Cottage and Main streets intersection.Laura Rogers, 28, was crossing Main Street at a pedestrian walkway about 9:45 p.m. when she was struck by car turning west from Cottage onto Main Street, according to a witness. She reportedly flew about 10 feet in the air. Rogers was transported to Fort Atkinson Hospital for contusions on her knee and face.Junior Katka Showers-Curtis said she was crossing the street with Rogers at the time of the accident. They had pushed the pedestrian light before crossing."It was terrifying," she said. "I had no idea what was happening. I looked at the car and thought it was going to stop and then I realized it didn't. I never expected that to happen."Showers-Curtis said an off-duty police officer was driving toward downtown from Main Street when the accident occurred and stopped to aid Rogers."He got us to the side of the road," she said. "He called the police. He called the ambulance. Everything happened really fast."Rogers is active on campus and is a member of PEACE.UW-Whitewater graduate Mike Chaloupka was struck by a car Aug. 26, 2008 while crossing at Whiton and Main streets, about a block from Cottage Street.Chaloupka, who was in a wheelchair, suffered from 12 broken bones and collapsed lungs. He died about a week later as a result of the injuries. Whitewater Common Council voted in late 2008, as a result of Chaloupka's death, to install traffic lights at the Main and Whiton streets intersection in spring 2010.
I am sure glad she will be ok.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Stepping Stone For Mike's Garden
We made these for Mike's Garden, everyone designed a petal of the flower, it was fun. Created by Mike's Sister, Brother, and Parents.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Fundraiser For Intervarsity
We finally have a fundraiser planned for next year. It will be October 28-30, 2010, we have decided to do it in a form of a craft fair, with raffles, silent auction items and much more. First Assembly Of God Church-North Campus donated the space to use. We are very excited to start the planning, if you want to help volunteer some time in helping to set up the space or donations, please let us know. More info will be posted as it becomes available. It will be called MJC Memorial Craft Fair.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
One Year Since Mike's Accident
To all of Mike's and Family, I can't believe a year has passed since the terrible accident that took Mike from us. We had wanted to do a fundrasier this year, it won't happen til the fall of 2010. We are in the process of securing a location, and still working on the details. With the money going to Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, which is the organization that Mike loved, and was working for at the time of his passing. Keep checking for more info as it becomes available. Thanks for everyone that helped us thorugh the last year, it's been the hardest year of our lives. We miss our son dearly, but life goes on. We will never forget him, we think about and talk about him daily. There is not a day of our life that we don't think about this tragedy, and our beloved son.
We have planted some bushes in our front yard, along with a angel bush we were given at Mike's funeral. We are adding a few more bushes in Mike's Garden. We are up to a total of 3 bushes now, we are still working on a sign. I hope to have it made soon. Keep an eye out for some new updates photos soon.
We have planted some bushes in our front yard, along with a angel bush we were given at Mike's funeral. We are adding a few more bushes in Mike's Garden. We are up to a total of 3 bushes now, we are still working on a sign. I hope to have it made soon. Keep an eye out for some new updates photos soon.
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